"The Professionals" Dead Reckoning (TV Episode 1979) Poster

(TV Series)

(1979)

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7/10
In the name of the father...
canndyman7 November 2020
A spy exchange is conducted on the Bulgarian border, with CI5 secretly getting notorious double-agent Stefan Batak back on British soil. Doyle goes undercover as a journalist to investigate Batak's beautiful London-based daughter, who's studying classical piano at a college in the city.

When Doyle comes under fire, it appears that Batak's return isn't as secretive as they'd hoped - and a series of twists and double-crosses leave both Batak and his daughter in deadly danger.

This is quite a workmanlike episode - not a remarkable one, but a good espionage drama where things are never quite what they seem. Carol Royle is the real star here as the gorgeous Anna Batak, and gives an excellent and engaging performance. There are some well-staged action set-pieces too, as well as some nice touches of humour - Martin Shaw's ad-libbed 'Burke and Hare' quip makes for an amusing retort at one stage, and his brawl outside a church where a wedding is taking place is fun and well-choreographed.

It makes for a pretty solid episode from the third season that's cleverly plotted and keeps you guessing till the end.
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6/10
Dead Reckoning
Prismark1023 March 2019
The third series is certainly delving into espionage in a big way.

CI5 has been involved in an exchange of spies. CI5 have got Stefan Batak, a shifty Bulgarian who has switched sides several times before. As he is holed up and being debriefed. Bodie and Doyle seek out his daughter living in Britain and attending a music school.

Almost immediately Batak is attacked and when Batak later dies, his daughter comes under suspicion. However CI5 find out that there are more players involved apart from disgruntled east European spymasters who might want to take out Batak.

Another enjoyable episode with some flawed plotting. The duo could not resist a Great Uncle Bulgaria joke.
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5/10
Middling
Leofwine_draca9 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
DEAD RECKONING is a middling episode notable only for featuring the recognisable actor Derek Godfrey (who starred in Hammer's HANDS OF THE RIPPER alongside many other films) in a prominent supporting role. Otherwise it's a typical spy story, quite long-winded in its own way, focusing on dialogue and routine plotting over character, and as such feels quite bland.
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